Crohn’s disease

What is Crohn’s disease?

Crohn's disease is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also referred to as a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD in short. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammation, which usually occurs in the small and/or large intestine and often presents the first symptoms between the ages of 15 and 30. Crohn's disease can also occur in the oesophagus and/or stomach, but this is far more uncommon.

The course of the Crohn's disease is extremely erratic. In some people, the inflammation spreads quickly to other intestinal parts (acute phase), while in others the disease causes few complaints over the years and hardly needs any treatment at all (chronic phase).

Symptoms related to Crohn’s disease

The most common symptoms are:

• Frequent loose, thin stools
  The inflamed bowel cannot absorb enough fluid.
   
• Weight loss, anaemia, or stunted growth
  The inflamed intestine is less able to absorb certain nutrients or absorbs them in insufficient amounts, which can lead to deficiencies in the body.
   
• Blood loss
  The inflammation causes sores in the intestinal mucosa, resulting in blood in the stool.
   
• Narrowing (stenosis)
  A very severe inflammation in one particular place – in the so-called acute phase – can cause a narrowing or restriction in the intestine, which is often reversible. This narrowing is due to swelling of the intestinal mucosa. It can also be caused at a later point in time if scar tissue develops. Even if the course of the inflammation is relatively smooth, scar tissue can eventually form. This often rigid connective tissue can lead to narrowing and even blockage of the intestine, just like in the acute phase.

Other symptoms include:

• Fistulas/abscesses
  When inflammation spreads to other parts of the intestines or surrounding organs, unnatural connections called fistulas, may form. These fistulas can extend into other organs and into the skin. Fistulas commonly occur around the anus (anal fistulas). Sometimes an abscess can form, whereby pus accumulates in a cavity of the body.
   
• Joint pain
  In some patients, the inflammation is not limited to the gastrointestinal tract. It can also cause painful swelling of knees, elbows and wrists, for example.
   
• Eye and skin disorders
  Here, too, the inflammation is not limited to the gastrointestinal tract.

How does Crohn's disease develop?

The exact cause of Crohn's disease remains unknown; however, there are clear indications that both hereditary and environmental factors play a role in the development of this disease, such as stress and smoking.

The human body has a defence system against invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. In the event of Crohn's disease, this defence system attacks the body, causing an inflammatory reaction in the gastrointestinal tract.